Sam Williams could be ‘X-factor’ for Cowboys defense in 2024

There will be a lot of opportunities for Sam Williams in 2024.

The Dallas Cowboys departing talent this offseason has been well-documented. With far more contributors going than coming, the focus now shifts to the players currently on the roster to step up and fill the gaps. In most cases that leaves more questions than answers, but it also provides an exciting opportunity for untapped potential to shine.

One of the biggest beneficiaries of this offseason’s circumstances is pass rusher Sam Williams. Williams has flashed at times during his young career, and the on again, off again nature that has been his playing time has left the young defender thirsty for more. 2024 may offer a chance for his cup to runneth over setting up Williams to be a true ‘X-factor’ this season.

Cowboys will need Sam Williams now more than ever

Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports

Williams found himself in a backlog of pass rushers in his first two seasons in the NFL. With the top of the depth chart consisting of perennial stars in Micah Parsons and DeMarcus Lawrence, being a starter or seeing that type of opportunity has never been realistic. Couple that with the fact he was in a rotation among veterans like Dorance Armstrong and Dante Fowler, there just never seemed to be enough pass-rush snaps to go around to truly satisfy.

Now with both Fowler and Armstrong off to D.C. to be with Dan Quinn, and no other veteran presence added, it all looks to be aligning for Williams to finally get the chance he has been eagerly awaiting.

Thus far in his two seasons in the NFL Williams has tallied 8.5 sacks, 15 tackles for loss, and 48 total tackles. He has been productive when given the chance, that much can’t be disputed. However, the combination of Armstrong and Fowler accumulated 11.5 sacks in 2023 alone. The Cowboys hope that with an increase in opportunity comes an explosion of production.

As it stands, with either Lawrence or Parsons getting a breather, Williams is assumed to be the next man up. With that comes the need to continue to provide a high level of play both against the pass and the run. If he can do so, or even come close to what the other two provided, it could be a massive positive for the Cowboys and the new-look defense under Mike Zimmer.

2024 will be a challenge no doubt about it. With Zimmer comes a new scheme, a new coaching staff, and new people to win over. With Marshawn Kneeland being drafted this year, he is assumedly one of Zimmer’s “guys” giving him somewhat of a leg up in NFL politics.

However, none of it will matter if Williams can play at the level he has shown glimpses of. He is a freak athlete who has at times been called upon to be a gunner on special teams – an incredible feat for a pass rusher. Coupled with his physical style of play, and ability to get in the backfield with ease, maybe when it’s all said and done the only thing that has held Williams back to this point has been more chances.

If that’s the case then the Cowboys will be stoked to find that out this year, and if it all plays out in the way he and the team hope, he could easily be one of the team’s biggest x-factors in 2024 and beyond.